Mohammad Shahzad charged with alleged anti-doping rule violation

Shahzad has been allegedly found guilty of using a substance banned by the ICC (Image Credit: ICC)

Afghanistan international player and keeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad has been charged for allegedly violating the anti-doping code, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday (April 13). Shahzad’s test was conducted on January 17 at the ICC Academy in Dubai, and the sample confirmed presence of Clenbuterol, a substance deemed prohibited by the ICC.

As per the ICC rules and regulations, the 29-year-old reserves the right to request that his B sample be tested within five days from the notice and has 12 full days to challenge the suspension. If Shahzad decides not to challenge the findings within the deadline, he will be provisionally suspended from April 26.

The right-handed batsman also has to respond to the charges within 14 days. If he fails to do so, it will be considered equivalent to his admission to having committed the offense.

Shahzad has represented Afghanistan national side in 58 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 58 Twenty20’s.